This section provides a list of Kidney channel points that are commonly used in clinical practice. Details on how to locate and needle each point can be found by clicking on the blue heading of each acupoint.
- In traditional acupuncture we use the proportional cun measurement to locate acupoints.
Kidney 1 Yongquan (Gushing Spring)
The main TCM actions of Kidney 1 are:
- It clears Empty-Heat and Empty-Fire caused by Yin deficiency in cases of insomnia and severe anxiety.
- It calms the Shen in cases of acute anxiety.
Kidney 2 Rangu (Blazing Valley)
- The main TCM action of Kidney 2 is to clear Empty-Heat from Yin deficiency in cases of malar flush, heat in the evening or night time, a dry mouth and throat and hot sweats.
Kidney 3 Taixi (Supreme Stream)
The main TCM actions for Kidney 3 are:
- As the Yuan source point to regulate the Kidneys and the Kidney channel.
- To tonify the Kidneys in cases of Kidney Yin deficiency, Kidney Yang deficiency and Kidney Jing deficiency.
- To strengthen the lower back and knees in case of chronic back ache and a weak back and knees.
Kidney 6 Zhaohai (Shining Sea)
The main TCM actions of Kidney 6 are:
- To open the Ren Mai in combination with Lung 7.
- To nourish Kidney Yin in cases of Empty-Heat and night sweats.
- To calm the Shen in cases of restlessness, insomnia and fear.
- Kidney 6 is often used in combination with Lung 7 for treating asthma.
Kidney 7 Fuliu (Returning Current)
The main TCM actions of Kidney 7 are:
- It tonifies Kidney Yang in cases of Empty-Cold, Kidney Yang deficiency and oedema in the middle and lower Jiao.
- It regulates sweating.
- It is often used in combination with Heart 6 to stop sweating (e.g. night sweats).
Kidney 9 Zhubin (Guest House)
The main TCM actions of Kidney 9 are:
- It clears the Heart and transforms Phlegm in cases of mania or manic depression.
- It regulates Qi and alleviates pain in cases of calf pain or leg weakness.
Kidney 10 Yingu (Yin Valley)
The main TCM actions of Kidney 10 are:
- It clears Damp-Heat in the lower Jiao in cases of difficult or urgent urination and when there is a burning pain on urination.
- It benefits the Kidneys in cases of uterine bleeding or difficult conception.
- As a local point to move the channel in cases of knee pain.
Kidney 16 Huangshu (Vitals Shu)
The main TCM actions of Kidney 16 are:
- It regulates Qi and alleviates pain in cases of constipation or diarrhoea.
- It regulates and warms the intestines in cases of pain and distention of the abdomen.